Calif. Senate backs open meeting guarantees

The Associated Press

The state Senate on Wednesday unanimously backed a measure to guarantee access to information about the meetings and actions of public bodies.

Lawmakers approved SCA7, a measure that would amend the California Constitution to require cities, counties and other public bodies to provide notice about their meetings and publicly disclose any action taken.

A state law known as the Brown Act already requires public notice and disclosure, but some agencies have asked the state for millions of dollars to cover their costs for complying with the law. However, the state's budget problems in recent years have halted payment of many of those claims, leaving the law in limbo.

"Our open meeting laws are too important to be made optional every time the state runs short of money," said the measure's author, Sen. Leland Yee, a San Francisco Democrat.

A review of state audits by The Associated Press found local governments had charged the state millions of dollars for the costs of complying with the Brown Act, including some charges that were rejected by the state.

The measure is sponsored by the California Newspaper Publishers Association.

If approved by two-thirds of the Assembly and signed by the governor, the constitutional amendment would be placed on the next statewide ballot for a public vote.